The House v. NCAA settlement, effective July 1, 2025, marks a new era in college sports compensation that allows for payments to student-athletes for the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) from their colleges or universities. Despite these advancements, receiving NIL payments will create a unique challenge for international student-athletes, the vast majority of whom are studying in the U.S. on student visas that limit their ability to work. 

The landscape of college athletics is undergoing a seismic shift with the rise of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. As student-athletes gain the ability to monetize their personal brands, a new era of opportunity—and liability—is expanding far beyond the athletes. In addition to the student-athletes, NIL stakeholders include universities, athletic conferences and organizations, sponsors, and the athletes’ families, among others. Whether the goal is to guard against emerging liabilities or protect the NIL revenue stream itself, stakeholders should consider both traditional and specialty lines of insurance. Here’s what you need to know.